CostIndexUSA

Detroit, MI vs Midland, TX Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

MI
Detroit
100.3
overall index
$1,450/mo rent
More AffordableTX
Midland
95.8
overall index
$1,575/mo rent

Midland is slightly cheaper than Detroit — 4.5% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Detroit, you would need $76,400 in Midland. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing+7.2%
Detroit
94.7
Midland
101.5
🛒 Groceries5.1%
Detroit
98.8
Midland
93.8
🚗 Transportation6.1%
Detroit
107.7
Midland
101.1
🏥 Healthcare6.3%
Detroit
97.5
Midland
91.4
Utilities22.2%
Detroit
107
Midland
83.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Detroit to see what you'd need to earn in Midland to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Midland, TX
$76,400
$3,600 less needed in Midland

Formula: salary × (95.8 ÷ 100.3) = salary × 0.9551. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Detroit, MI

Median Home Price
$254,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,450
Housing Index
94.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
14.6×

Midland, TX

Median Home Price
$320,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,575
Housing Index
101.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
16.9×

Midland has 7.2% higher housing costs compared to Detroit.

Income & Job Market

Detroit, MI

Median Household Income
$72,600
Per Capita Income
$41,400
Unemployment Rate
5%
Population
672,795
Top Industries
AutomotiveHealthcareTechnologyFinanceManufacturing

Midland, TX

Median Household Income
$92,900
Per Capita Income
$53,000
Unemployment Rate
2.2%
Population
132,950
Top Industries
EnergyOil & GasHealthcareManufacturingFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Detroit, MI
4.2×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Midland, TX
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

80% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.